Most of the work indicated for the first half of the month will be appropriate. Bulbs may be brought on. Lilies of the Valley may be forced. Roses, climbers generally, trees, and shrubs may be planted. There will be a supply of Violets from the frame beds, probably, and a little fertiliser may be sprinkled between the rows. Roses in pots may be put into a cool house to start them gently into growth.

Azaleas

The pretty Indian Azaleas are very useful for winter bloom in the greenhouse or conservatory. The colours are bright, and the flowers last well. Nurserymen prepare them for winter-blooming, generally as low standards, so that they can be arranged effectively among other plants, and sell them well set with buds. The plants do not cost much, and a few might well be bought. The following are beautiful varieties: Professor Wolters, blush with carmine blotch; Fielder's White; L. van Houtte, white and rose; Reine des Fleurs, salmon; Bernard Andre, double purple; Deutsche Perle, double white; Simon Mardner, crimson; Raphael, double white; and President O. de H. Kerchove, double salmon pink. Deutsche Perle is particularly useful, as it is a very early bloomer, and the flowers are large and pure.

Flowers For Christmas

There will be a natural desire to have a supply of flowers for Christmas, and with a warm greenhouse at command, and such plants as Roman Hyacinths, Paper White and Double Roman Narcissi, Freesias, Cyclamens, Arum Lilies, Violets, Azaleas, Camellias, Lilies of the Valley, Cinerarias, Christmas Roses, Primulas, Zonal Geraniums, and Van Thol Tulips, either in or approaching bloom at mid-December, and with late varieties of Chrysanthemums, there ought not to be any lack.

Priming Evergreens

The festive season is often the occasion for pruning evergreens. The plants should be cut with a knife, not with shears, and with such judgment as precludes the exposure of bare stumps. With a little care several armfuls of shoots can be cut from Laurels, Hollies, Aucubas, and other evergreens, without the work of the knife being visible, or the shape of the bushes spoiled.

Pruning Evergreens.

Fig. 98. - Pruning Evergreens.

a. Young branch not to be cut.

b. Branches to be cut.

e. Old flowering branch to be removed.

Dielytra Spectabilis {Lyre Flower)

This is a pretty, graceful plant, and roots may be potted for flowering in spring. Bulb soil suits them well.

Hedges, Lawns, And Paths

Mid-December is a good time for planting Privet, Quick, Beech, Hornbeam, Laurels or Myro-balan (Myrobella), Plum, to form hedges. The first is the best for poor soil, and the oval-leaved often, but not always, holds its leaves throughout the winter. Put in young plants nine inches apart, and cut them back to the same height from the ground, then they will break well from the base, and make a bushy mass near the ground. The Lawn will no longer require mowing, but an occasional rolling will do good. Ground may be dug, cleaned, levelled, and laid with turf to make new lawns. The turves must be well beaten down.

Hedges Lawns And Paths 146Planting Hedges.

Fig. 99. - Planting Hedges.

a. Turves facing the slightly-raised bank.

b. Soil taken from c.

d. Ordinary ground level. e. Young Thorn.

f. Young Thorn cut back.

g. Plants inserted in a double line.

Any Path-making that is required may be done now, and the materials needed should be carted in while the ground is hard with frost, to avoid cutting up the surface. Particulars were given in a previous chapter.